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Private tour in Edinburgh Gwen K
Top to Toe: Half day Edinburgh history tour
4.8
(13) reviews
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3 hours
1
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3 hours
1
Gwen K.
4.9
Guide rating
34
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3 hrs
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My passions are my native city of Edinburgh and meeting the needs of people of all nationalities and ages. An avid traveller, I have experienced the 'kindness of strangers' and want to reciprocate the same hospitality in Edinburgh. Born in Glasgow, I have lived in Edinburgh since the age of 6. I went to school, university and work in Edinburgh and have watched the city evolve. I love history and culture and stories about Edinburgh characters. As I have a broad range of interests including the arts, reading, walking, food and shopping, I provide a wide selection of bespoke small group walking tours. I enjoy taking solo travellers on walking tours. I provide bespoke Edinburgh tours for cruise passengers with luxury transport collection from port and return to port. As well as history and culture, my tours include walks in parks and up to the best places for city views, nature and gardens, food tasting tours, shopping expeditions and experiences more suitable for children, teenagers and the 'young at heart'. I enjoy meeting special needs. When my guests are staying on in Edinburgh, I always provide a pack with maps, leaflets about what to see and do and my own typed sheets which include cafes and restaurants, characterful pubs, art, gardens and history, famous Edinburgh writers, past and present and bookshops and attractions for children. I provide multi-day trips. Visitors can either choose a selection of my tours or I can create a personalised package. Free wheelchair use is available. Edinburgh is a very 'walkable' city with most attractions relatively close to each other. For an additional cost, public transport or a private car and driver can be used for some tours. I like to keep up to date with changes in Edinburgh. I am always learning and discovering new places and experiences. Above all, I want you to enjoy Edinburgh as much as I do and have a five-star experience on my customised walking tours to the main sights, neighbourhood areas, hidden gems and secret treasures. What makes me special is my sense of place. Edinburgh is my special place and my place is to make it special for you too. Edinburgh University: MA Honours History and post graduate qualifications in secondary education and in guidance. I am a qualified secondary school teacher of History and Modern Studies and taught and managed schools for many years. First aider I do not have any restrictions in regard to my guiding, I can offer a full range of experiences”
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Gwen K.
A walk down the Royal Mile - the centre of the old town of Edinburgh
Overview of your Edinburgh tour
For the first time visitor to Edinburgh, this is a great walking introduction to the locations and exteriors of the main sights of the Old Town of Edinburgh. Main sights: •Edinburgh Castle (exterior) •Lady Stairs Close and the Writer's Museum •The Heart of Midlothian •St Giles Cathedral (entry for 5 or more people must be pre-booked) •Mercat Cross •City Chambers •Museum of Childhood •Canongate Kirk and graveyard •Whitehorse Close •Palace of Holyroodhouse (exterior) •Holyrood Park, Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags •Scottish Parliament building
Your Edinburgh tour itinerary
We meet at the top of Castlehill at the entrance to the castle. The itinerary walks down from top to toe - from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, a distance of approximately one mile. We visit the exteriors of the major sights on the four main sections or parts of the Royal Mile: Castlehill The Lawnmarket The High Street Canongate Along the way we shall visit some of the closes and wynds (small alleyways leading to where people stayed or worked) off the Royal Mile including Lady Stairs Close, Dunbar's Garden Close, Bakehouse Close and Whitehorse Close and hear stories about famous and infamous past historicial figures. We shall also glimpse across to the New Town of Edinburgh and to Carlton Hill. You will see sharp contrasts of architecture both in the new town and the old town of Edinbugh with the juxtaposition of the old and the new. There is something for everyone on this introductory tour which will give you 'your bearings' for the rest of your time in my native city!
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Transport details
Type: Walking
Walking tour
What's included
What's not included
Meeting location
352 Castlehill, Scotland, Scotland, EH1 2NF, United Kingdom
By Guide: The Witchery by the Castle restaurant, 352 Castlehill. Castlehill is the narrow approach road to the castle esplanade and the castle. The Witchery is near the top of Castlehill on the left hand side. End point: Palace of Holyroodhouse at the bottom of the Royal Mile
- You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
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EnglishActivity level
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Traveller reviews for this private tour in Edinburgh
13 reviews
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3 hours
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
How it works
- Your credit card will be authorized only for the deposit amount.
- Funds will not be withdrawn until your tour booking is fully processed.
- 30 days before your tour date, the remaining balance is automatically charged.